Bear Island, also known as Bjørnøya in Norwegian, is a small island located in the Arctic Ocean, north of mainland Norway and part of the Svalbard and Jan Mayen archipelago. The island is approximately 48 miles long and 18 miles wide, with a total area of approximately 90 square miles. It is the southernmost island in the archipelago and is surrounded by the Greenland Sea to the east, the Norwegian Sea to the west, and the Barents Sea to the north.
The island has a rugged, mountainous terrain with a few glaciers, and its highest peak is the 1,717-foot Mount Nyrøysa. It is home to a variety of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, arctic foxes, and seabirds.
The island has a long history of human habitation, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Stone Age. In the early 19th century, the island was used as a base for whaling and walrus hunting. In the late 19th century, the island was used as a base for scientific exploration, and in the early 20th century, it was used as a base for military operations during World War II.
Today, Bear Island is a nature reserve and is home to a small research station. The island is also a popular destination for tourists, who come to observe the wildlife and explore the rugged landscape.
Experience Bear Island - Bjørnøya with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Bear Island - Bjørnøya. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
Bear Island - Bjørnøya in Svalbard and Jan Mayen experiences a polar climate with cool summers and cold winters. During the summer months of June, July and August, temperatures are usually around 5-10°C, with occasional spikes up to 15°C. Winters in Bear Island are long and cold, with temperatures ranging from -10°C to -20°C. Snowfall is common throughout the winter months and the sea often freezes over. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with temperatures ranging from -5°C to 5°C. Overall, Bear Island has a cold and unpredictable climate with temperatures often fluctuating throughout the year.
Our weather forecast for Bear Island - Bjørnøya helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
| Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 11th 2026 Aug. 11th 2026 | max: 5.3 °C min: 4.1 °C |
45.4 m/s 53.3 m/s |
90.9 % 22.5 m |
73.5 % 999 hPa |
00:00:00 00:00:00 |
|
| Aug. 12th 2026 Aug. 12th 2026 | max: 5.9 °C min: 4.8 °C |
41.0 m/s 50.0 m/s |
93.3 % 23.9 m |
74.7 % 1,006 hPa |
00:00:00 00:00:00 |
|
| Aug. 13th 2026 Aug. 13th 2026 | max: 5.9 °C min: 5.4 °C |
28.8 m/s 37.4 m/s |
89.0 % 24.1 m |
76.7 % 1,017 hPa |
00:51:53 00:02:55 |
|
| Aug. 14th 2026 Aug. 14th 2026 | max: 6.2 °C min: 5.7 °C |
23.4 m/s 33.1 m/s |
77.4 % 24.1 m |
89.4 % 1,012 hPa |
01:35:19 23:43:13 |
|
| Aug. 15th 2026 Aug. 15th 2026 | max: 7.0 °C min: 5.6 °C |
13.7 m/s 15.8 m/s |
100.0 % 1.2 m |
99.5 % 1,004 hPa |
01:54:43 23:27:51 |
|
| Aug. 16th 2026 Aug. 16th 2026 | max: 7.3 °C min: 6.3 °C |
6.8 m/s 6.5 m/s |
92.8 % 3.7 m |
99.6 % 1,003 hPa |
02:09:43 23:14:42 |
|
| Aug. 17th 2026 Aug. 17th 2026 | max: 6.9 °C min: 5.8 °C |
20.2 m/s 25.6 m/s |
100.0 % 15.9 m |
96.7 % 1,004 hPa |
02:22:29 23:02:57 |
|
| Aug. 18th 2026 Aug. 18th 2026 | max: 6.2 °C min: 5.9 °C |
19.1 m/s 24.0 m/s |
100.0 % 24.1 m |
89.7 % 1,008 hPa |
02:33:49 22:52:11 |
|
| Aug. 19th 2026 Aug. 19th 2026 | max: 5.8 °C min: 4.8 °C |
12.6 m/s 17.3 m/s |
91.4 % 24.1 m |
87.0 % 1,013 hPa |
02:44:10 22:42:08 |
|
| Aug. 20th 2026 Aug. 20th 2026 | max: 5.9 °C min: 5 °C |
6.8 m/s 6.8 m/s |
79.8 % 24.1 m |
82.3 % 1,014 hPa |
02:53:46 22:32:40 |
|
| Aug. 21st 2026 Aug. 21st 2026 | max: 5.8 °C min: 5.2 °C |
6.8 m/s 6.8 m/s |
76.6 % 24.1 m |
81.5 % 1,014 hPa |
03:02:47 22:23:40 |
|
| Aug. 22nd 2026 Aug. 22nd 2026 | max: 6.4 °C min: 5.7 °C |
19.8 m/s 25.9 m/s |
97.7 % 24.1 m |
78.9 % 1,016 hPa |
03:11:20 22:15:02 |
|
| Aug. 23rd 2026 Aug. 23rd 2026 | max: 6.5 °C min: 5.9 °C |
29.9 m/s 42.5 m/s |
74.0 % 24.1 m |
91.5 % 1,017 hPa |
03:19:28 22:06:43 |
Would you like to travel to Bear Island - Bjørnøya on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Bear Island - Bjørnøya.
| Date | Ship | Passaengers (min - max) | Arrival | Departure | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 13th 2026 Thursday, 13th of Aug. 2026 | Silver Endeavour | 252 | 01:30 pm | 06:00 pm | |
| Oct. 26th 2026 Monday, 26th of Oct. 2026 | LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT | 245 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| May 30th 2027 Sunday, 30th of May 2027 | Silver Endeavour | 252 | 01:00 pm | 05:30 pm | |
| Jun. 8th 2027 Tuesday, 8th of Jun. 2027 | LE LYRIAL | 224 - 264 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Jun. 20th 2027 Sunday, 20th of Jun. 2027 | Silver Endeavour | 252 | 07:00 am | 11:30 am | |
| Jun. 24th 2027 Thursday, 24th of Jun. 2027 | Silver Endeavour | 252 | 01:00 pm | 05:30 pm | |
| Jul. 8th 2027 Thursday, 8th of Jul. 2027 | Silver Endeavour | 252 | 07:00 am | 11:30 am | |
| Jul. 12th 2027 Monday, 12th of Jul. 2027 | Silver Endeavour | 252 | 01:00 pm | 05:30 pm | |
| May 29th 2028 Monday, 29th of May 2028 | LE LYRIAL | 224 - 264 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Jun. 23rd 2028 Friday, 23rd of Jun. 2028 | Silver Endeavour | 252 | 03:00 pm | 08:00 pm | |
| Jul. 1st 2028 Saturday, 1st of Jul. 2028 | Scenic Eclipse | 228 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Jul. 22nd 2028 Saturday, 22nd of Jul. 2028 | Silver Endeavour | 252 | 06:30 am | 01:00 pm | |
| Jul. 26th 2028 Wednesday, 26th of Jul. 2028 | Silver Endeavour | 252 | 02:00 pm | 07:30 pm |
Photos by cruise fans for cruise fans!
Share your best pictures with the community and discover authentic images from travellers who have already been there.
- There are no photos available for Bear Island - Bjørnøya yet.
Share your holiday photos with the community and inspire others to their next adventure!
There are a few basic rules to follow
.| Port | Distance |
|---|---|
| Ice bay in Svalbard and Jan Mayen | 269,99 km |
| Gåshamna in Svalbard and Jan Mayen | 292,66 km |
| Hornsund in Svalbard and Jan Mayen | 296,53 km |
